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School's fundraiser in Oliver's memory
Oliver Ladd
Oliver Ladd

WESTBURY Infants School is planning a fundraising day in memory of a student who died of leukaemia.

Oliver Ladd, from Hawkeridge near Westbury, was born with Down's Syndrome and at the age of three-and-a-half was diagnosed with leukaemia.

His bravery was recognised last April when he won a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award after being nominated by Stepping Stones in Trowbridge, a pre-school group for children with special needs.

Oliver lost his battle with cancer in January and Westbury Infants are holding a football fundraiser on Friday May 16 to pay for an orchard in his memory and to raise money for Clic Sargent, who helped Oliver during his illness.

Headteacher Jan Ball said: "We're going to have sponsored football activities because Oliver loved playing football, and also was Clic Sargent's nationwide campaign this year so it's fitting.

"All the children will come to school in sports wear and will take part in the circuit of football activities and there will also be a raffle.

"Seventy five per cent of the money will go to Clic Sargent and the other twenty five per cent will go towards an orchard at the school in memory of Oliver.

"He loved fruit and his grandparent's house backs onto the school so it's something they can get involved in.

"Oliver was just a lovely little boy who always had a smile on his face.

"He wanted to be involved in everything. He was a bundle of energy."

Oliver's mother Fiona Ladd is pleased that the school is honouring her son. She said: "I think it's a lovely idea because Oliver loved his fruit. He was a very healthy eater.

"He also loved football. It was one of our milestones to get him to kick a ball by the age of five and he could do it with great accuracy.

"I was hoping that Oliver would join Westbury Boys when he turned six.

"My oldest son Sam scored a goal in his last game for Westbury Boys, which he dedicated to Oliver."

Oliver's grandmother Ann Booth was also delighted at the plans for an orchard. She said: "I think it's a lovely idea and we will be able to see the orchard from our garden. I am hoping to go to the school when they have their football fundraiser because one of my other grandchildren is at the school."

Oliver's family and friends are determined to raise money for organisations that helped him, including the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Clic Sargent and Stepping Stones.

Oliver's brother Sam, 16, is planning to run the Longleat 10k run in October and Oliver's former school teaching assistant Kelly Bradley ran in the Bristol Half Marathon on Monday with her sister.

3:40pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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